Our Mission
At AF & Co Academy, we believe in teaching the true essence of the art of barbering.
Take the first step in this booming industry & begin your journey into becoming a professional barber with Antonio at A&f Co Academy.
There really isn’t a better time to become a barber, here in Malta and in fact all over the world. Talk to any barbershop owner and you will receive a familiar story of there being a real lack of barbers in the industry and how hard recruitment for available barbers actually is!
We offer Intensive Barbering Courses to suit your needs, both with National and International Accreditation.
Our History
The exceptionally talented Antonio was the first Barber in the Maltese Islands to launch the Old School Barbering business. Although Antonio’s primary work experience was in the Family Restaurant Business he always felt that his passion was in the Barbering Industry.
After taking a local barbering course, Antonio opened his first Barbering Salon in Paola. Although he ran this Barbering Shop successfully, Antonio felt that the barbering concept in Malta was not conducted in a professional way.
With his passion and this conviction burning inside him to reach his goal, Antonio decided to move to the UK to study Old School Barbering in the most professional way. In the UK, Antonio attended and participated in several seminars and conventions on Old School Barbering Techniques.
Antonio opened his second Barbering Salon in Leicester, where he successfully ran it for 5 years. But, with love for his country, Antonio decided to move back to Malta to evolve this fascinating trend, barbering, in his country, with the conviction to share this new barbering concept locally.
Back in Malta, Antonio opened his third barbershop in Balzan. Success was immediate. This new barbering concept was instantly appreciated by the Maltese. Setting his mind on a bigger and more client-oriented barbershop, and realising that this new Old School Barbering concept was gaining momentum and popularity. He decided to be bold and go bigger.
His next step was bigger, better, funkier, a massive man cave with exceptional barbering services. The fourth barbershop opened with a great class offering the ultimate barbering techniques and services with coffee, beer, whiskey, billiard and a place any man can chill and get pampered as they rightfully deserve.
Growth was imminent, with just one year down the line, this barbershop was equipped with 14 super talented barbers trained and formed to Antonio’s highest standards. His motto is “my barbers are a reflection and an extension of myself”.
As expected, the demand was huge. It required the fifth barbershop to reach more people. With Antonio’s perseverance, the fifth Barbershop opened in the busy area of Sliema. Again huge success was at the door as till today Antonio’s Barber Shop in Sliema is another success story making Antonio’s thinking about the sixth Barbering Shop.
AF & Co Academy is licensed as a Further Education Institution with the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority. Licence No. 2023-022
Courses available:
- Award in Basic Barbering Skills – MQF 2, 3 ECTS (View Course)
- Award in Intermediate Barbering Skills – MQF 3, 5 ECTS (View Course)
- Award in Advanced Barbering Skills – MQF/EQF Level 4, 6 ECTS (View Course)